What is a Schedule III Drug?

Under the U.S. Controlled Substances Act (CSA), drugs are classified into five schedules by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) based on their medical use, potential for abuse, and risk of dependence.

• Schedule I: Drugs with no currently accepted medical use, high potential for abuse, and lack of accepted safety (e.g., heroin, LSD, and currently marijuana).
• Schedule II: High potential for abuse but with accepted medical uses (e.g., oxycodone, fentanyl).
• Schedule III: Moderate to low potential for physical and psychological dependence, with currently accepted medical uses. These drugs can be prescribed by doctors, often with refills allowed (up to 5 refills in 6 months), and include substances like ketamine, anabolic steroids, testosterone, and products containing codeine (e.g., Tylenol with codeine).

Schedule III drugs are regulated but less strictly than Schedule I or II. Possession without a prescription is illegal federally, but they are available via prescription for legitimate medical purposes.

Latest News: President Trump Signs Executive Order on Marijuana Reclassification (December 18, 2025)

On December 18, 2025 (yesterday, as of today’s date), President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing federal agencies to expedite the reclassification of marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III.

Key details from the executive order and White House statements:

• It directs Attorney General Pam Bondi to complete the ongoing DEA rulemaking process “in the most expeditious manner” to move marijuana to Schedule III.
• This recognizes marijuana’s “currently accepted medical use” (e.g., for pain, nausea, anorexia) and lower abuse potential compared to Schedule I drugs.
• The order emphasizes expanding medical research on marijuana and CBD, including real-world evidence studies on long-term effects.
• It also addresses CBD access, urging Congress to update hemp definitions for broader availability and announcing potential Medicare pilot programs for CBD treatments (e.g., for chronic pain or cancer patients).
• Trump stressed during the signing: This does not legalize marijuana recreationally, does not sanction recreational use, and possession remains federally illegal without authorization.

This builds on a process started under the Biden administration (HHS recommended rescheduling in 2023; DEA proposed it in 2024), which had stalled. Trump’s order pushes it forward without directly changing the schedule himself—final rescheduling requires DEA rulemaking.

Impacts if finalized:

• Easier medical research.
• Tax relief and banking access for state-legal cannabis businesses.
• Potential for FDA-approved marijuana-based medications.
• No change to federal prohibition on recreational use; state laws remain conflicted with federal law.

Reactions:

• Support from cannabis industry, some medical advocates, and figures like RFK Jr. and Dr. Mehmet Oz.
• Opposition from some Republicans (e.g., letters from GOP senators/House members) and anti-drug groups, citing risks to youth and potential for increased use.

Marijuana remains Schedule I until the DEA publishes a final rule. No exact timeline was given, but the order aims to accelerate it.